This is a fan-fic between KonoSuba and Many series(Mainly KonoSuba itself, Kara no Kyoukai, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, and many other things). Disclaimer : I don't own any. This project is for fun only and if you had complain or suggestion, you can post it on review so that I can use it for reference and learning material. Note : spaming or flaming review will be ignored(regular review is fine though).
-o-
Chapter 10 : Live Undead Part 1
"Here it is, I wrote everything I know about it in this notes."
I give the paper to the blacksmith.
"Alright, give me some time to make this. You can come here to get it probably after winter over."
"Ah, thank you."
"It's not a problem."
Then, I leave.
It's been two weeks since the whole Yoshikage and Keele's fiasco.
These past two weeks isn't as bad as before since I was busying myself writing down all I know how to make a katana and it's design up until today.
Looking at the sky, I can see that it's afternoon.
Awaiting in front of the store is my party.
They accompanied me here to deliver the notes about the makings of katana for me.
Though, the main reason was...
"Well, his new house should be around these part."
I answered.
Yep, we're visiting Yoshikage.
-o-
"Ah, there it is!"
I pointed at the two story medium sized house on the street.
Then, we proceed to get to the door.
Knocking on the door, I wait for a response.
Click
"Yes, may I help you?"
Erica Shidou, Yoshikage's mother opened the door.
"Kaa-san, who is it?"
The voice from inside called out.
Apparently it's Yoshikage himself.
"Oh, It's Kazuma and his girlfriends!"
"We're not!" x4
All of us said in unison with flushed face.
Seriously, I'm not some sort of harem main character of a story to deserve this...
...Right?
Then, she just smiled before welcoming us in.
Inside the house, we were greeted by a spacious living room decorated with a simple sofa and a table in the middle of it.
Also, Yoshikage in a casual white shirt sat on one of the sofa with one of his friends and the other four, I don't know where. Probably they're claiming the reward after doing a quest or have some business on their own.
Yeah, Yoshikage and his friends decided to become an adventurer.
Like me, Yoshikage himself couldn't take the other class job while his friends taking various jobs like their specialty when they're still a forest's bandit. Not like he cared though, his Stand is already enough for him.
Though, they're doing the quest on a shift everyday.
Each day, Yoshikage will bring three of his friends while making the other two stay here to guard the house to avoid what happened before(Damned *cough* Mercenary *cough*). And one or two days in a week, he sometimes gets to be the one guarding the house. Like today.
"You got a nice house, Yoshikage-san."
I sincerely complimented.
"Yeah." x3
Followed by three of my companion's unison agreement.
Despite the simplicity of its design, somehow being in this kind of place gives me a nostalgic feeling.
Probably because of me living in the tavern too long that I get a feeling like this.
Now I feel like I want a house of my own.
Apparently after we went separate ways from Shigeki, he came to Yoshikage's house in the forest and gave him half of the reward he got from slaying the infamous Jack Frost(which is around 200 Million Eris) before 'telling' them to move to the town since living in the forest nearby the border of two town is quite dangerous.
Yeah, by 'telling' I mean almost forcing him with a threat.
Though, I wonder how did he carry that much of a money and did he never use a bank to store any money he got?
That aside, I don't think Shigeki needs too much money considering his lifestyle, so it's not surprising for him to do something like that.
Following his 'suggestion', Yoshikage and his group moved around these parts after bought themselves a house here.
"Thank you, why don't you guys just sit down. I'll make the tea fo-"
Before Yoshikage could finish his sentence to stand up, his mother held him back.
"We'll do it, Yoshikage-san. You should chat with them since they're your guest."
Erica-san said.
"But Kaa-san, Liz-"
"No buts." x2
They refused while heading toward the kitchen.
Lizbeth, one of Yoshikage's friend. Wearing a casual dress unlike her getup when we fought before, she is acting like an older sister to Yoshikage due to her strict and dominating attitude. Her class as an adventurer is Archer. Apparently, she caused Aqua quite a problem to hit her due to her agility.
"Well, how's the life in this town for you?"
I asked.
I need to see his impression.
Living in the mountain for around seven years, it's obvious his view would be different from us.
"Hmm, it's a quaint place I say. Though, I wished the noble governing around here isn't someone similar to Count Mortes."
He said while frowning a bit.
Count Mortes, one of the count who likes Yoshikage's mother and upon her rejection to his proposal, he sent out mercenaries out of blind rage to destroy her and her son's life. After awakening his Stand, Yoshikage killed all of the mercenaries. While her mother is still on the recovery, he went to the count's mansion to kill him, but he found around twenty people roughly around his age or younger being caged, by freeing them, they told him the location of the count as a thanks. After killing the count, only six followed him despite his refusal until they told him that they're an orphan sold for slavery to that noble and have no place to live. Moving on to the forest, they build the house that is their former home, from there they live as bandits, extorting weaker people in order to survive while taking care of Yoshikage's mother as their gratitude to him. The fact that no one put a bounty on their head was because of the townspeople that count governed hate him for giving extremely high tax, taking the adolescent girl as his concubines if her parents couldn't pay the tax, children as his slaves for the same reason, and many acts that makes even rat in the bathroom puke. Instead of revealing the real killer, they told his death was a pure accident. Up until now, none of the investigator from the capital can deduce the bizarre cause of the fire. They've given up after 2 years of fruitless endeavor and simply stationed another better noble there.
Considering it's the work of a Stand, that's to be expected.
"Well, the landlord here is rumored to be... Strict... Yeah, strict, but he isn't that bad."
Darkness nervously said.
"I see..."
Yoshikage muttered.
Well, judging from Darkness' expression, I think the landlord here is bad, but not as bad as Count Mortes. Though, Yoshikage seems buying it...
After that, Liz and Akira-san brought some tea and snacks before we began chit-chatting about his recent adventure and stuff happening during it.
Then, I brought up the topic of a very important thing.
"Hey Yoshikage, what did you do with the 「Arrow」?"
Yes, we've discussed about this before.
That 「Arrow」...
Anyone with strong willpower can develop their own 「Stand」 after being shot by that.
But the problem lies when someone with said strong willpower is a crazy bastard.
「Stand」, as we know it, is technically the manifestation of one's spirit which basically mirrors their personality.
And most of the sick bastard usually got a destructive personality, so their 「Stand」 will be equally or even more dangerous and they will use it as they pleased.
Despite Yoshikage's change, he was once using his 「Stand」 as he pleased before while me, despite my shrewd personality, even I have restrain to not use my own for something evil. Also to be noted that I almost died trying to survive the test to attain my 「Stand」, so that might be one of the reason too.
Simply said, A repulsive Stand usually has a repulsive user.
"I destroyed it. That thing shouldn't be exist in the first place."
He answered while waving his hand.
Well, I think that's the best course of action.
Having someone stole the 「Arrow」 from him or being accidentally shot by it will result in either death or the birth of Stand user, the latter being more dangerous if someone who got a Stand use it for evil purpose.
"I see..."
Though, I kinda want to test stabbing my Stand with that 「Arrow」 and see what the Requiem version of mine can do.
But nah, I think I'll pass.
The last thing I want is my Stand went berserk and ended up killing me along with causing trouble to everyone.
After that, we dissolve the serious atmosphere discussing trivial stuff until late afternoon.
"Well then, it's time for us to go. We'll come by here another time."
I said while exiting the house.
-o-
After visiting Yoshikage's place, we split up.
Darkness going to the guild, probably hanging around the guys who got temporarily killed by Beldia or meeting with Chris.
Megumin is well, uh, practicing her explosion I guess?
Either way, we're not doing any quest today.
That's why we got the time to visit Yoshikage and now I'm gonna visit Wiz's shop.
But...
"Hey Kazuma, where are we going?"
"Geh, I'm not asking or forcing you to come with me, so why are you following me?"
Yep, this goddess keeps following me around after leaving Yoshikage's place.
When I ask why...
"Are you going to do something suspicious?"
That's her answer EVERY DAMN TIME.
I even want to use 「Void's Phase」 to get away from her, but that would cause her to get more persistent or making weird assumption about me.
"Haa... Here we are."
I tiredly said as I stopped in front of a shop.
This place sold magic items, though most of the townspeople or adventurers consider it as antique due to the items sold here is very old and rarely useful in combats. Except some potion of course.
Well, the reason for me coming here is similar to when I go to Yoshikage's place.
Though, I did promise Wiz to come by her shop one of these days during our early encounter.
But first...
"Haa? Why are you telling me that? Are you thinking that I'm someone impolite who loves to keep casting 'Turn Undead' or holy based spell wherever I walked into or making ruckus!? Only an idiot who'll do such things."
Somehow, I'm not assured with her words.
Precisely due to you being idiot I warned you.
Let's just hope she really won't do something stupid.
Opening the door of the shop, I can hear the bell rang crisply.
"Welcome... Ahhhhhh!?"
"Ahhhh!? It's you! You finally showed up, damn undead! You dare set up shop here!? Don't get cocky, lich! I will burn your store down in the name of the gods!"
This goddess...
SMACK!
Hitting her head with my fist, I stopped Aqua who made such ruckus despite my request not to do so.
"Yo, Wiz, long time no see. And sorry for the ruckus she made."
Ignoring Aqua who was sulking in the corner while muttering 'stupid HikiNEET' like some sort of a mantra, I greet while apologize to her at the same time.
"… Hmmph, doesn't this shop know how to serve any refreshment to its customer? As expected for a shop run by a lich."
Not being allowed to make a ruckus or cast holy spells, she 'attacks' with her non-sense words.
"Ah, sorry! I will bring it now!"
And Wiz is buying it...
"Hey! You don't need to do that! I have never heard of a magic item shop that serves refreshment to its customers!"
I stopped Wiz from following the orders of Aqua, who was picking on her.
This was my first time in a magic item shop, so I toured around it, toying with the merchandise while talking with her.
"Hey Wiz, how long have you been running this shop?"
Taking a bottle filled with red liquid, I inspect it.
"Hmm... Since few years ago if I remember correctly. Ah, that bottle contains a strong poison, don't open or inhale it."
Putting the bottle down carefully, I remove myself from the rack around it.
Then, I took a small box from one of the racks.
"Ah, be careful, it contains hallucination-inducing gas."
"I see..."
Meanwhile, Aqua is watching us disinterestedly.
Seeing the usually hyperactive goddess like this, I asked.
"Hey Aqua, don't you have something to say? At least something beside purging her or insult her."
She just sighed.
"Nothing much, as a goddess, I obviously want her to be purged. Besides that, I think this place is too ordinary for a lich to run."
Hearing Aqua said that, Wiz asked hesitantly.
"'As a goddess'…? Erm, I was almost destroyed when you used turn undead… could it be, you are a real goddess?"
!?
Shit.
If you want to ask what the real identity of Aqua was, a monster like a lich would know best.
As for me, I still doubt at this moment whether Aqua was a real goddess.
"You could say that. You probably won't spread this around, so I shall tell you. I am Aqua. That's right, the goddess revered by the axis cult, Aqua. Know your place, lich!"
"Eek!"
Wiz made a face of terror I had never seen before and hid behind me.
For liches, an existence like god was like their nemesis.
"Hey Wiz, I know undead and goddess are akin to water and oil, but you don't need to fear her that much."
I consoled her, but Wiz said:
"No, I don't mean it that way… I heard the rumor that the Axis cultists have brain problems, so it's best not to get involved with them– that is part of the common sense of the world. And she said she is the goddess which is the leader, so I…"
"What did you just say!?"
"Sor, sorry!"
I facepalmed.
Now I'm seriously pondering what kind of people the Axis cultists are.
"… Sigh, stop bullying her, Aqua. Seriously…"
I chased Aqua to the side, letting her browse the items in the shop.
She obediently shopped around, picking some potions randomly and sniffed inside.
I kept an eye on her as I regained my composure and talked to Wiz.
"Speaking of which, I heard recently that you defeated Beldia-san. That Beldia-san was a powerful swordsman among the demon king's bosses, you are amazing."
"Ah, it's not me. More like everyone worked hard, I only dealt the killing blow, that's all."
I said while shaking my head.
She just smiled gently in response…
But wait...
Hmm?
"'That Beldia-san'? It sounds as if you were acquainted. Did you know each other because you are both undead?"
In the face of my query, Wiz said in an idle manner.
"Ah, I didn't make this clear before, I am also a boss of the demon king's army."
She said with a giggle.
…
"Catch her!"
Aqua who was browsing the merchandize suddenly pounced on Wiz!
"Wait! Aqua-sama, please let me explain!"
Wiz who was pinned down by Aqua wailed.
Aqua wiped the sweat from her cheeks and reported her victory.
"This is great Kazuma! We will become rich! Not just renting a place, we could even buy a mansion!"
Aqua shouted joyously.
I squatted down and looked at Wiz who was subdued by Aqua.
"Hey Aqua, let's listen to her… Erm, what does being a boss mean? If you are a spy of the demon king living here, as adventurers, we can't let you off... No hard feelings..."
As much as I don't want to hurt her, if she turns out to be the spy that could endanger this town and generally humans, I can't let her be.
After hearing this, Wiz explained in tears.
"That's wrong! I was asked by the demon king-san to maintain the barrier to the demon king castle! I have never harmed anyone before. I might be a boss, but it's only in name! You won't get any rewards for defeating me!"
Wiz's words made me and Aqua look at each other.
"… I don't know what you are saying, but we should play it safe and destroy you."
"Wait a moment Aqua-sama!"
Wiz who was pinned under Aqua screamed again.
I stopped Aqua who had started chanting in a hurry.
"Eh, what do you mean? Is it like the cliche in video games, where you opens a path to the demon king castle after the hero has defeated all the boss? And Wiz is the one in charge of maintaining that barrier?"
"I don't know what video games are, but that's it! It was the demon king who requested this of me. Because I didn't stop running a shop casually on the human territory, the only thing he asked me to do as boss was to maintain the barrier! and maintain the barrier! He said no one would suspect that a boss of the demon king would set up a shop in a human town, so the barrier would be safe!"
"Which means humans can't attack the demon king castle if you are alive. This will give us plenty of trouble. Kazuma, let's do away with her."
Upon hearing Aqua's words, Wiz wailed:
"Wait, please wait! With Aqua-sama's power, you could easily break through the barrier created by 2 or 3 bosses! But there are 8 bosses in the demon king's army, there will still be 6 bosses even if you defeat me. Even Aqua-sama can't break through the barrier of 6 bosses! If you want to attack the demon king castle, you have to defeat the other bosses. I beg you to let me live before you take out the other bosses…! I have some things I need to take care of…"
Facing the crying Wiz who was pinned by her, Aqua made an awkward expression.
She would glance at me every now and then, observing my condition… Did she want me to make the decision?
"Haa... Aqua, let her be. If I got her implication, the only reason why we need to kill all the demon king bosses are to weaken their army and bringing down the barrier of his castle. Wiz here doesn't have any army of demons and about the barrier, did you forget I can 'cut' anything?"
"Muu..."
She pouted.
In front of such reasonable excuse, she couldn't retort.
To be honest, we aren't powerful yet. And I didn't plan to do something that dangerous such as storming the castle just because I can cut the barrier.
Even if we didn't do anything, someone like sword master Mitsurugi and his demon sword– people who were transported here with blessings, would kill the bosses of the demon king's army.
But, as long as Wiz was here, the barrier would be intact and they couldn't get to the demon king no matter what they do.
So, before we get strong enough to defeat the demon king, it would better to maintain the status qu-
What the heck is she doing!?
In front of me, Aqua just ignored my perfect excuse and cast a 'Turn Undead' anyway.
"Kyaa! I'm disappearing! I'm disappearing!"
Wiz yelled in tears as her body is slowly getting transparent.
"Hehehe! Even if Kazuma says no, it's my duty as a goddess to purify you nonetheless!"
...
Summoning my Stand, I use it to grab Aqua's collar and threw her out of the shop.
"Sorry about her, she's an idiot who does things without thinking."
I apologize while offering Wiz a hand.
"Kazuma! How dare you interrupt my ritual of purifying her!?"
She returned back inside while yelling that out.
"Moron! I already told you it's fine for her to stay here! Are you really a goddess!?"
"What did you just say!? You're just a stupid HikiNEET with lots of ego!"
"Haaah? ? ? ! ! ! Let me tell yo-"
"Umm..."
Wiz, who watches us up until now trying to say something.
"What is it!?"
Aqua snapped.
"Hey, don't be rude like that, Aqua! Sorry for that, Wiz. Now, what do you want to say?"
I asked politely.
Seriously, mind your manner Aqua...
"That thing behind you... Is that a Stand?"
ゴゴゴゴゴ
[Menacing]
What...
How did she know about Stand!?
Don't tell me!?
"Wiz, how did you know about Stand? Did someone named Yoshikage told you?"
Please say yes! Please say yes! Please say yes!
"Eh? Well, I never know someone named Yoshikage. Actually, the person who told me was my former party member back in the days when I was still a human. Incidentally, he also possess a Stand too."
"What?!"
I exclaimed.
That can't be!
'Yeah, the only people who used it probably that bastard, me, and recently, you.'
Recalling what Yoshikage said before...
"Hey Wiz, by any chance, did that guy name is Akira Shidou?"
"Eh, do you know him, Kazuma-san?"
!?
As expected huh...
I wonder how Yoshikage and his mother reacts when they heard this.
But first...
"Can you tell me where he is?"
"Eh? Umm, I don't know, but he said he's wandering around the world after disbanding our party and to not ."
"I see, thank you for that information."
After that, we went silent for a bit.
"Pardon my intrusion, is Ms. Wiz here?"
A middle aged man suddenly opened the door and walked in, ringing the bell.
Hrm, I think I'll inquire about that later.
-o-
"Evil spirits?" x3
Here's the summary.
The visitor was a real estate agent.
It seemed that all sorts of spirits were appearing in the empty houses.
The visitor even asked around the adventurer's guild. Everyone said this was the first time they encountered something like this and didn't know how to handle it.
Even after posting a quest to subjugate the spirits, new ones would move in right after the quest was done.
But this time...
"No matter how we exorcise them, the evil spirits kept coming one after another. Selling the house aside, it is a pain just clearing the houses full of spirits. Not to mention the latest bunch even almost killed some adventurers trying to exorcise them."
The middle aged man sighed with a fatigued expression.
So why was he discussing this with Wiz?
Maybe it was the doubt written on my face, the man explained to me immediately.
"Before Ms Wiz set up shop here, she was a powerful mage. Whenever the people in town run into any difficulty, they would seek Ms. Wiz for aid. And Ms. Wiz seemed to be the expert on handling undead monsters. That's why I am here asking for her help. I can't risk some newbie adventurers to die in that mansion or it'd be even more haunted."
I see, the lich was known as the overlord of death after all.
She's an expert regarding spirits.
This man probably didn't know Wiz's true identity, but Wiz was really suited for something like this.
But that man seemed troubled as he looked at Wiz.
"But… Ms Wiz seems unwell today. Your face had always been pale, but it's even more so today. How should I put it, it feels… as if you could disappear at any moment…"
"…"
I stared wordlessly at Aqua who was planning to purify Wiz. She immediately averted her gaze in an awkward manner.
Wiz revealed an awkward smile and patted her chest.
"No problems, leave it to me. We just need to settle the evil spirits in town right?"
"Ah, no! I wasn't planning on troubling Ms Wiz to exorcise all the evil spirits in town… just that mansion would be enough."
"Ah, that mansion. I see…"
Wiz nodded to acknowledge understanding what the man said… That mansion?
"Leave it to me. I just need to expel the spirits wandering in that mansion, correct?"
After hearing that, Wiz immediately stood up, but sat down again due to the lack of strength.
"Ah, ahhh! Wi, Wiz-san! Forget it if you are not feeling well, please don't push yourself!"
The man hurried over to help Wiz up. Aqua who couldn't watch any longer turned her gaze in an absurd direction, she was getting more embarrassed.
Yare yare daze.
"Jii-san, do you sell that mansion?"
I asked him.
"Ah, yes, but due to said problem, nobody wants to live in that place. If this goes on, sooner or later nobody will buy it since I can't keep putting on the quest to exorcise that place."
"Hmm, how much is the price of that mansion?"
"!?" x2
Both the old man and Wiz seems surprised.
"Ah, it was supposed to be around 150 million Eris since it's an old mansion, but if you want to purchase it, I can sell it to you for 75 million Eris since it's also haunted."
"Well?"
I asked Aqua.
Probably still feeling guilty of being the reason why Wiz won't be able to help the old man, she said:
"...It's fine, we can exorcise the spirits ourselves... B-B-Besides, staying at the mansion might be a good change of our lifestyle... hahaha..."
Well, that's true.
Aqua here can exorcise any spirit if she wanted to, so buying it might be a good idea.
Living in a tavern feels good, but it drains our saving everyday.
That's why it's in my best interest to buy it.
"Alright, we'll buy it."
-o-
"So this is the mansion."
It was a mansion in the suburbs.
According to that man, the number of rooms were few for a mansion, the fact was contrary to this.
It was several times the size of a single mansion in Japan, and used to be the villa of a noble clan.
But that aristocratic family had abandoned this villa.
As the villa was about to be sold, evil spirits appeared within it.
"Not bad! This place is great! This is where someone like me should be staying in!"
Aqua shouted while hugging a small bag. Megumin who was also carrying a bag was blushing from emotions.
Living in this villa.
This wasn't one of Aqua's delusions.
Because the mansion was huge, there were plenty of evil spirits within. As a result, it had been widely regarded as a haunted mansion.
Every previous inhabitants were leaving this house precisely because of being haunted.
Bonus point that the latest adventurers who came here were almost killed...
"But can we really exorcise the evil spirits? I heard new spirits would keep coming no matter how much you clear them."
Darkness who was carrying a large pack said.
That's right. Going by common sense, finding the reason why the spirits kept coming and resolving the issue was the best strategy.
But the quest we took was limited to exorcising the spirits.
To be honest, thinking about it in the long term, the longer we dragged on the quest, the longer we could stay in this villa.
"But it feels like this place had not been occupied for a very long time. Didn't the disturbance of the spirits only happen recently? Could it be, this mansion already had issues before the spirit problem hit the entire town…? Are you sure buying this mansion is a good idea?"
Megumin said uneasily.
"Yes, but even if this mansion had problems, we will be fine. We have Aqua with us, right? No worries, she is an expert in fighting undeads."
Even though I felt a bit uneasy while saying that, but I still think her abilities as an arch priest was very strong.
"Leave it to me! … Fufu, I can see it, I can see it! From the observation of my spiritual eyes, the maid who had a relationship with the noble who was just fooling around and bore a child, and was kept here as the illegitimate child of the noble clan! The noble died from illness and the maid went missing. The young girl left here contacted the same disease as her father, and died without ever seeing the faces of her parents! Her name was Anna Filante Asteroid. The things she liked were her dolls and the stories of adventurers! But please don't worry, this spirit won't pull pranks on us. She will not harm us! Ara, she might be a child, but she liked matured things like drinking fine wine. So, prepare some wine as an offering!"
Aqua kept clamoring on like the cunning psychics that appears on television all the time. I looked at her with the eyes I reserved for doubtful con man, and asked Darkness and Megumin at the same time.
"… Nah, what do you think? I want to ask why this girl knows such unnecessary settings and names… Is she alright in the head? Or perhaps I judged her too hastily?"
"…" x2
I don't know if they harbored the same uneasiness as me, but they didn't answer my question.
-o-
Late at night.
We took off our equipment and settled down in the mansion.
We had decided the distribution of the rooms, and brought our respective luggages there.
We would be staying in this mansion from today onwards, so I held on to the faint hope that the evil spirits would be exorcised permanently by Aqua.
On the other hand, I was worried that she might bring more of them here.
But she was an arch priest after all, and her real identity was the goddess Aqua.
She wasn't the type that allowed spirits to do as they pleased in the place she lived.
Right?
I took the biggest room on the 2nd floor of the mansion, and slept quite soundly.
"Ahhhh!? Wahhhhhh!"
At this moment, I heard wails coming from Aqua, whom I had placed so much hope in.
"What is it!? Hey, Aqua, what happened! Are you okay!?"
I rushed to Aqua's room and rapped on the door.
No reply. Judging that something was amiss, I kicked the door open.
Before me was…
"Boo… Woooo… Ka, Kazumaaaahhhh!"
In the middle of room, Aqua was cradling an empty wine bottle and crying.
…
"What the heck?"
"I was looking forward to drink this wine after my bath! But it was empty when I returned to my room ahhhhh!"
I decided to go to sleep after a shower.
"I see, good night, see you tomorrow."
"Ahhh!? Wait Kazuma! A spirit! This must be the work of an evil spirit! The wild spirits that congregated here, or the illegitimate child that was bounded to this mansion! It must be either of these two! I will make my rounds around the mansion and destroy all the spirits I see!"
I don't know if wild spirits existed in this world, but since Aqua said she would exorcise them, I had no reason to stop her.
Besides, that's the main reason why we're here.
"… What happened, what's with that ruckus?"
"Is something wrong? It's getting late, so please behave yourself."
Darkness and Megumin were here too, probably drawn in by Aqua's wailing.
"This girl said her wine was taken by evil spirits and wants to exorcise them now. I was thinking about retorting ' why would spirits want to drink spirits'. But there were too many things to retort so I didn't manage to. I think I will sleep, I'll leave the rest to you."
As I returned to my room, Aqua was still lecturing me from behind, but I didn't mind.
If the spirit was just mischievous to the extent of drinking people's wine, it would be fine letting it be.
Because, what can such spirit do?
Unbeknownst to me, someone is giggling not too away far from me.
"FoOLs, yOU alL wILL diE hErE aNd accOmpAny me fOREveR gigigigigigigi!"
The mysterious entity giggling like a madman before it disappeared.
-o-
I woke up in the middle of the night, wondering how long I had slept.
The mansion was silent, it should be late at night.
Somehow, I get a feeling so complicated about sleeping in a haunted mansion.
I tried getting up from the bed…
… but my body couldn't move.
What's happening… Sleep paralysis?
I tried sounding out, but that failed too, only a mumble escaped my lips. I couldn't call out to Aqua for aid.
Unable to move my body, I tried to analyze the situation. At this moment, I heard a sound come from the corner of my room.
— Poop.
That sound was really loud in this quiet room.
Hearing this sound, I shifted my gaze to a corner of the room.
In the corner of the room… stood a tiny doll of a clown holding a knife. Why did it appear here?
"…!"
I gulped unconsciously.
Cold sweat kept breaking out.
What was going on, why did this object appear here?
And why the heck am I feel so terrified.
I didn't have any recollection of this thing being in this room in the first place. Did Aqua place it here to scare me?
Yeah, that should be it. It definitely was. I wished it will be the case.
— Dang
A sound reverberated through the entire room, and made me burst out into cold sweat while my eyes were closed.
— Bang.
Clank.
Clank.
Clank–!
Shit it's getting closer!.
–Clank clank clank clank clank clank clank clank clank, clank clank clank clank!
Then, the sound from the corner of the room stopped.
Huh? Is it just my imagination?
That's great, there were no such things as spirits after all.
I relaxed slightly.
Wait.
Did I just said there's no such things as spirits!?
If Stand exist that means spirit is...
Opening my eyes slowly, I was greeted by a fucking scary sight.
I locked eyes with the doll that was staring at my face with it's knife raised like it's about to stab me.
"啊啊啊啊啊啊啊! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !"
I screamed out like never before as I punched the doll away.
Shit. Shit. Shit!
As the doll landed few meters away, it slowly stood up.
And it looks at me.
"Gigigigigigigigigigigi..."
It's giggling as it took another knife from its back.
Shit, this is like a fucking horror movie!
Not letting my guard down, I picked the knife it dropped when I punched it away.
Creak
The door to my room opened.
I'm glad, it must be Aqua or the others.
They must've heard my scream earlier.
But my hope were dashed as it was more of that fucking creepy dolls with knives.
Slowly, they entered to my room.
"Gigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigi..."
Their creepy giggles filled my room as their number increased.
I took a step back seeing the creepy shit in front of me.
They are slowly getting closer.
Tap
Shit, I was cornered.
"yOU WiLL jOiN uS!"
The doll that tried to stab me said that in a gibberish way.
Activating my Mystic Eyes, I saw something even creepier.
Beside the usual line of death on the dolls, behind every dolls, I can see different people(man, women, child, old) floating behind, each of them are different among the other. Most likely, they're souls that possess each dolls.
But the doll that attacked me didn't have one.
Only line of death on its body.
What is this?
A ghost attack or the work of a Stand?
"gET HiM!"
As the main doll yelled that, three dolls leaped at me with their knives raised.
SLASH!
"Gigi..."
All of them were killed in one fell swoop.
"HoW aBOut ThiS!?"
Now, there's five.
Cutting them down, I feel a slight pain on my left arm.
Turns out, one managed to graze me.
Tch.
I don't have my equipment right now.
It's best if I could get out of this place.
Now, all I have to do is jump out of the window and...
"WAAAAAA!"
CLANG!
I heard the sound of Megumin screamed along with steel clashing.
CLANG!
This time, I parried the attack from a doll who use my shocked state to leap at me.
Damn, is she okay?
This is a bad situation.
A fucking bad situation.
If I jumped out of the window, they might change their target to Megumin or the others, but if I stay here, I'll eventually get killed by these little bastards.
I should-
[Find the way out of this room]
[Jumped out of the window]
[Find the way out of this room]
[Jumped out of the window]
[Find the way out of this room]
[Jumped out of the window]
Alright, leaving Aqua and the other here with this crazy possessed doll is a bad idea. Besides, even if I jumped out, there's no telling if I can call help before they got killed by these bastards.
Now, to find the way out.
Easier said than done.
!?
Looking at the part of my room nearby the door, I can see it's not occupied.
They're focusing their forces to corner me here.
Then...
"「The Void : Initiation」!"
"「Void's Phase」!"
My Stand immediately swipe it's hand forward, teleporting me to the 'room'.
Pointing at the hall outside my room, I was teleported to the mansion's second floor hall.
"a StaND!? yOu wON't GeT aWaY EiTher WaY!"
The doll roared while chasing behind me.
A spooky scary doll Stand!?
Fuck.
Shit, I don't think any horror movie can scare me anymore after tonight.
Running down the hall, I passed through Aqua's room to see that nobody was inside.
"GoT yOU!"
It declared as I was surrounded once again.
The swarm of dolls blocking my path to the ladder and another swarm coming from behind.
"HIIII! ! !"
"kILL HiM!"
As the main doll yelled that, the swarm leaped at me.
"Haaaa!"
With a yell, I jumped down the railing to instantly get down to the first floor.
"YaHHHHHH! ! !"
The swarm of dolls came down toward me like a rain(except, this time it's a rain of knives).
Damn it!
Running forward to avoid being stabbed, I heard something.
"Kazuma! Hey!"
!?
That's Megumin's voice!
Taking a glance to her voice, I saw that she and the others calling me from a room.
I'm glad they're fine.
Though...
"HyaHahAHahahaAhaAHAhaH! ! !"
The dolls laughing maniacally while chasing me.
I gotta get away from these spooky bastards and worry about myself first!
"Kazuma, quickly get over here!"
This time, Aqua shouted at me from that same room.
"!"
On the room where Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness apparently hide, there's no dolls at all.
That might be a safe place!
But...
This is also suspicious.
It might be a trap set by an enemy's Stand!
"Hey, stupid Kazuma! Quick! They're getting closer!"
"You've got to be kidding me if you think you can trick me like that!"
"What are you saying Kazuma!? This isn't the time to be joking!"
Darkness said behind Aqua.
"Ha! Your act might be convincing, but you can't trick me, Stand user!"
"i GOt yOu!"
Said the creepy bastards behind me.
"Good trick you've set there, whoever you are, Stand user. But I'm not going to fall for your trick!"
Hearing that, it along with the swarm of dolls stopped dead in their tracks.
"Gigigigigigigi... GIAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"
It laughed even creepier than before.
I got a bad feeling about this.
"I nEVer tHOugHT yOU DoN'T tRuSt yOUR aLLy thAt mUCH! tHIs Is TOO FUNNY!"
"What!?"
"tHaNks tO yOUr DOubT, yOU'VE sEALeD yOUR FaTe!"
BANG!
The sound of door being closed hard can be heard right behind me.
"Kazuma!"
"Hang in there!"
"Get away from there!"
Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness yelled behind the closed door.
In front of that room, I can see the culprit behind that door being suddenly closed.
The swarm of dolls.
"OH MY GOD! ! !"
Shit, they've got me completely surrounded.
I've made a blunder.
I never thought my prediction doomed me!
"HeHeHeHe! eVen If yOUr Stand can tElEpORT yOU, yOU'LL be SuRROunded nO MattEr wHeRe yOU go! Gigigigigigigi..."
"Ghh..."
Gritting my teeth, I prepared for the worst as my Stand's ability is still on cooldown.
"wE'll KiLL yOU FiRST sINCe yOU'Re thE oNLy onE wHo cAN HArm us! bUT bEFOrE I kILL yOU, aNY lAST WiSH!?"
It asked me.
What?
"Hoo? Really, then I'll ask you some things before you kill me."
"gO ON, I'M mERCiFul EnOuGH tO lIsTEn to yOUr lAST WiSH. Gigigigigigigi..."
"Who are you? What are your motive doing this? And how did you get that Stand?"
"qUiTE lOT oF tHING yOU're aSKing. bUT I'LL hUMor yOU! fOR yOU fIrST qUeSTION, I'm A LiVINg DEAD!"
"What!?"
"yES, tHis is aLSO fOR yOUR thIRD QuesTION! i'VE gOT ShOT bY aN 「Arrow」 as A zOMBiE! WHeN I rEGAiNed mY cONscIousNess, I'M tRAPPED in ThIS BoDY wITH tHe aBilITY oF wHAT the OnE sHOoT mE cALLED 「Stand」!"
"Ghh, so these fucking creepyass dolls are your Stand!?"
"oF cOURSE, bUT dID yOU kNow wHaT mY Stand caN Do?"
"?"
"mY Stand, 「Live Undead」! iT mADE aNYoNE wHOm I kiLLED gOT tHEiR sOUL sTUCK as DoLL fOReVEr UnDER mY ConTROL! Gigigigigigigigi..."
ゴゴゴゴゴ
[Menacing]
"What..."
Why do I feel the name of its Stand very similar to the thrash metal band from old times?
More importantly, the souls I saw attached to every dolls...
Ghh...
This bastard!
"ThEn, lET mE anSWeR yOUR lAsT QueSTIoN BefORe yOU jOIn me! mY mOTIve is tO mAKe eVERy fUCKIng hAPPy gO lUCky huMANs tUrNEd inTO mY pUPPEt, suffERIng iNdeffINiteLY lIkE tHE unDeAD mE!"
A repulsive Stand usually has a repulsive user huh?
That saying turns out to be true eh?
"TiME fOR yOU tO jOIN uS!"
It yelled as the swarm of dolls pounce on me from all sides.
Shit!
To Be Continued(Roundabout theme)